[ 4s Parenthése | La voix des parents de Colombie-Britannique

Welcoming New Parents
to the APE

At the November 2009 FPFCB conference, the elementary and
[A preschool parents associations (APE) shared their projects to pro-

vide a warm welcome to the parents of new students. We were
so astonished by all of the initiatives discussed during the working session
that we wanted to share them with you. Who knows? Perhaps you will find

one of these ideas useful. =

The APE welcom ¢ Presence in the school on opening day

¢ APE presentation to parents to explain who we are and what we do

¢ Distribution of a contact list

¢ Inviting parents to get involved

The APE cooks... ¢ Corn roast
¢ Potluck
* Coffee, juice and cookies on the first day of class

° BBQ

The APE gets involved * Classroom tour for parents

¢ Information on hot meals

¢ Prize draws

¢ Summer camping for kindergarten families
¢ Organized year-end event

¢ Sports venue rental for a family activity

The APE shares...

¢ Partner new parents with returning ones

The APE informs. ¢ Role of the APE
* Training for non-francophone parents of intercultural families
¢ Participation of APE members in open house events
¢ What about activities? how does the hot meal program work? or the milk

fruit-vegetable program?

¢ Establish a phone chain

What parents want * To feel welcome, informed and confident

¢« Asmile, a word of welcome and a personal touch,

such as being addressed by name